Exercise is medicine! Ni Hao, my name is Tarsi Bali, and I am excited to serve SCIS PD as both the Aquatics Coordinator, and LS Physical Education teacher. Since I could remember, exercise, nutrition, and optimum wellness, have always been of great interest to me. Now as an educator, I want to help guide students to become healthier and happier, inspiring them to be physical active for life. My passion for fitness and health led me to initially pursue a career in research and academia. Before arriving in Shanghai, I was conducting experimental research in Slovenia, working at the Jozef Stefan Research Institute. In my free time, I love swimming, horseback riding, and traveling around Greece on my motorcycle. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and Sports Science from the University of Athens, a Master in Fitness and Health and a PhD in Sport and Exercise Science from the University of Essex.

Whitney Clodfelter

University of Tennessee & American College of Education

Grade Five

Pudong Lower School

I am so excited to be a part of the SCIS-Pudong community! Originally from sunny South Florida, I earned a degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. I am currently working towards a masters degree in Educational Leadership from the American College of Education. My teaching experience has been across many grades and subject areas, preparing me for the world of international teaching. I taught high school reading for six years in Florida before moving to Doha, Qatar. While in Qatar, I worked as both a preschool teacher and an instructional coach. I am passionate about teaching, particularly literacy education. I believe all students have the ability to learn, they just need the right opportunity. When not teaching, I enjoy reading, traveling, watching college football (go Gators!), and spending time with family, friends, and my cat, Piper. I can’t wait to experience everything Shanghai has to offer!

Elizabeth Gale

University of Michigan & University of Nottingham

Principal

Pudong Lower School

Greetings SCIS-Pudong community! Originally hailing from the Great Lake State of Michigan, I moved to China in 2004, where I began my career as an international educator at the American International School of Guangzhou (AISG). During my tenure at AISG I worked as an ESL and Homeroom Teacher for students in Kindergarten through Grade 6. Additionally, I served as the Primary Years Program (PYP) Curriculum Coordinator for two years prior to becoming the Elementary Assistant Principal. I am ecsatic to be now serving as the SCIS-Pudong Lower School Principal. I hold a bachelor’s degree in English and Psychology from the University of Michigan, as well as a master's degree in Elementary Education. Currently, I am in the final stages of completing my Doctoral Degree focused on Educational Leadership.
As the educational leader of the Lower School, I strongly believe that every child is capable of learning and thus deserves the right to develop his/her highest potential in a safe, nurturing and happy environment, an environment that respects and values the capabilities of all individuals. I am confident that by working together with parents, teachers and students we can further develop a powerful community of lifelong learners.

Meghan Hinds

St. Catherine University

Pre-School

Pudong Lower School

Hello! I am from Minneapolis, Minnesota. While I was pursuing my Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Minnesota – Duluth, I was student teaching as a Kindergarten teacher in Northern Ireland. I fell in love with living abroad and getting to know the students and their families. That experience immediately sparked my interest in teaching internationally. Since then, I have completed my Master’s in Education from St. Catherine University in St. Paul, while teaching as a Pre-Kindergarten teacher in the largest public district in Minnesota. Outside of teaching, I like to experience the outdoors, read books about different places, travel anywhere I can, and meet new people along the way. I am excited and honored to be a part of the SCIS community! This is going to be a GREAT year!

Tiffany Johnson

University of Minnesota

Grade Three

Pudong Lower School

Hello! My name is Tiffany Johnson and I am very excited to be teaching third grade at SCIS. My teaching experience in the primary grades spans two decades and three countries. I’ve taught in blustery Minnesota, tropical Indonesia, and now a happy medium in Shanghai. The timing of earning my Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction was perfect; a month prior to the birth of our first daughter, Isabelle. Sophie came along just a year later to make our family complete. My husband, Barry, is the Upper School Technology Coordinator. On the weekends, you can find the Johnson family exploring and photographing the sights, blogging, biking, reading, and enjoying a Friday night movie. We are thrilled to be part of the SCIS-Pudong community and anticipate a great year of teaching and learning.

Bart Kelly

George Mason University

Grade Four

Pudong Lower School

I am thrilled to be a part of the SCIS community as an Upper Elementary teacher. I am originally from the land of the eternal rain, the mighty Pacific Northwest, just across the water from Seattle in the USA. I have two M.Ed.; one in International Education and one in Multicultural Education, which I have put to good use since starting my educational career in 1999, teaching in Poland, Montenegro and Serbia. I have taught different age groups; 6 year olds to University, however Upper Elementary is my favorite age group. I enjoy helping the children learn how to become independent thinkers, pursue their curiosity and how to challenge themselves to excel. I enjoy a good round of golf, sailing on the open seas, and playing volleyball. I have coached volleyball at both the Middle School and High School levels and find both extremely enjoyable. My wife Maja and I are excited about being in Shanghai and China and learning more about this fabulous place each day.

Melissa Lawrence

SUNY Oitsdam & University at Albany

English as an Additional Language

Pudong Lower School

My name is Melissa Lawrence, and I will be the new primary ESL teacher/coordinator at SCIS for the 2017-2018 school year. Originally from upstate New York, I have taught a total of 17 years, including seven years in New York and ten years internationally in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. I received my B.A from SUNY Potsdam in French/Secondary Education and my M.S in Literacy (K-12) from University at Albany. I also completed my ESL Certification at Manhattanville College in 2013. I particularly love working with students from different countries and cultures; but during my free time, I enjoy plant-based cooking, traveling, reading, studying nutrition, yoga, and spending time in nature and with animals. I am very excited to start this next chapter of my life in Shanghai at SCIS along with my husband, Steven, and our chubby fur babies.

Yang Liu

Huazhong University of Science and Technology

Mandarin

Pudong Lower School

Greetings everyone! My name is Liu Yang. I’m so excited to be a part of SCIS-Pudong community. My experience as a Chinese language teacher showed me clearly that teaching is exactly where my passion is. I have taught Mandarin in New Zealand and the UK for two years. In these years, I have developed effective lesson plans, creative classroom activities and strengthened my understanding of classroom management. I have been successful in meeting different teaching demands in different schools, different classes, and teaching pupils of different levels. Teaching is not simply a job, it is my passion, and will be my lifelong career. Creative, effective and fun lesson design is what I enjoy and pursue all the way. I’m really looking forward to supporting our students with their Chinese learning and helping them to become inquiring, knowledgeable and caring learners.

Rebecca Macoskey

University of Cincinnati

Music & Art

Pudong Lower School

Hello! My name is Rebecca Macoskey and I’m thrilled to be teaching lower school music and art this year. I grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and obtained my degree in music education from the University of Cincinnati. I moved to Shanghai shortly after graduating and taught elementary and middle school music for four years. I love helping children explore the arts, hone their natural abilities, and try things that they may not have otherwise tried. I’m looking forward to a fantastic, art-filled year!

Maria McCabe

Grade Two

Pudong Lower School

Hello, my name is Maria McCabe and I am super excited to be teaching second grade for my second year here at SCIS Pudong. I am originally from Long Island, New York, and have been teaching internationally for twelve years in PYP schools in Italy, The Netherlands, and Connecticut in the United States. This is my second year here at SCIS and my first experience in Asia. One of the things I enjoy most about teaching is working with the natural curiosity and expressive nature of my students. In my professional career, I have been fortunate to have attended Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Project Zero for six years and am now training to be a coach for the Visible Thinking online course. The focus of Visible Thinking is to cultivate children’s thinking skills and dispositions by participating in Thinking Routines while also deepening conceptual understandings in their learning. Visible Thinking and the PYP are a perfect match! In my spare time, I enjoy taking long walks, visiting art galleries and museums, traveling, and exploring the delicious varieties of dumplings that are available everywhere here in Shanghai!

Malika Meidinger

Georgia State University

Kindergarten

Pudong Lower School

Hello! My name is Malika Meidinger, and I am thrilled to be teaching kindergarten at SCIS! I previously taught kindergarten and 1st grade in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. I received both my bachelors and masters degrees from Georgia State University in traditional and special education with endorsements in K-5 math and science. I grew up outside of Chicago, Illinois, which helped inspire my love of big cities! Prior to teaching, I studied architecture at Georgia Tech, which has lent itself to a love of creativity and exploration in the classroom. I believe that every child is a life-long learner, and I am passionate about instilling a love for learning in every student! Outside of the classroom, I love traveling, being outdoors, reading, and comedy! I know we are going to have a fantastic year!

Aleksa Moss

Governors State University

Pre-Kindergarten

Pudong Lower School

Hello! My name is Aleksa Moss. I am coming to SCIS from previous teaching experiences in Sumatra, Indonesia, Macau SAR China, Michigan and Illinois. I teach Pre-K at SCIS Pudong campus. I hold a K-5 teaching credential from the State of Michigan and a K-8 credential from the Province of Ontario, with an additional Early Childhood Specialist credential in the State of Illinois. I have completed a Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on digital learning and technology design. Currently, I am also working towards a Doctorate Degree in International Educational Leadership. This will be my 12th year of teaching, and I love working with young children. Their enthusiasm and joy in new experiences is contagious. My husband Mat and I are avid travelers, adventurers, and love of Lebanese food. I like to spend my time exploring caves, reading, and being outdoors. I'm excited for new classes and new learning opportunities at SCIS!

Larisa Mount

University of Mary Washington, North Carolina State University

Kindergarten

Pudong Lower School

I’m excited to be teaching kindergarten at SCIS. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in English and Sociology from the University of Mary Washington and a Master of Arts in Teaching from North Carolina State University. Previously, I have taught kindergarten in Raleigh, North Carolina, and kindergarten and first grade in Al-Wakra, Qatar. I love teaching kindergarten because students are making such great discoveries about themselves as learners – and there’s so much to explore! I have a great passion for early mathematics and have given several presentations on early math topics at teacher conferences and workshops. I’m excited about the adventures that await in Shanghai! Outside of the classroom, my hobbies include voracious reading, exercising indoors and out, and most importantly: seeing as many Broadway musicals as possible.

Molly Myers

New York University

Grade One

Pudong Lower School

Since 2012, I have been happy to spend my days teaching amazing first graders here at SCIS. Prior to coming to China, I taught children with autism for 7 years and served as a curriculum developer for 2 years in New York City. I received my second Masters degree in Educational Leadership, Politics and Advocacy- School Building Administration from New York University and continue my passion for life-long learning. I am currently working on my doctoral degree in Instructional Leadership at NOVA Southeastern University, with a focus on teacher reflective practices using video. When I am not reading research or writing my dissertation, I love exploring Chinese markets, cooking, and visiting art galleries.

Aloura Pearson

University of Wisconson-Madison

Learning Support Specialist

Pudong Lower School

Greetings, SCIS! I am very excited to join the Pudong community as a Learning Support teacher. I graduated in 2011, with my Bachelors of Science in Special Education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. (Go Badgers!) After graduation, I decided to stay in my beloved state and spent two years co-teaching in an inclusive fourth-grade classroom. While teaching fourth grade, I became the team’s Literacy Lead and had the opportunity to fly out to New York and visit Teacher’s College. I was instantly inspired and enrolled at Alverno College for my reading license and Masters. At that time I also began a new teaching position at a multiage, STEM school teaching fourth and fifth grade. I spent three years there co-teaching in inclusive classroom environments in grades: K, 1st, 4th, and 5th. Then, in May of 2017, I graduated with a Masters in Arts of Education, with an emphasis on Reading. It has been an incredible journey thus far, and I looked forward to joining a diverse community of talented educators!

Cleo Peterson

Seattle University

Grade Five

Pudong Lower School

Hello! My name is Cleo Peterson and I am thrilled to be teaching at SCIS at the Pudong Lower School campus. I am originally from Washington State and grew up in a small town called Walla Walla. I received my Bachelor's degree in Studio Art and French at the University of Puget Sound and proceeded to work many an odd job, including toy maker and luthier, before setting my heart on teaching. My Master in Teaching degree is from Seattle University and I’ve previously taught a variety of primary school grades both in France and the United States. I also love to travel and look forward to discovering all that China and Shanghai have to offer. Most of my hobbies revolve around the arts or the outdoors and include skiing, backpacking, painting/drawing, and paragliding. I am excited to be apart of the SCIS family and I look forward to learning alongside my students as we explore the world and myriad cultures around us!

Emily Putnam

University of Redlands

Pre-Kindergarten

Pudong Lower School

Hi there! I'm Emily Putnam. I am a native of sunny Southern California and have been an Early Childhood Educator for nine years in the United States as well as in Thailand and the Philippines. I am excited to be part of the team at SCIS Pudong and look forward to a year of learning and fun! I am an avid hiker and have successfully climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and spent last summer exploring the Inka Trail and South America. I am a bit of an adrenalin junkie and have been skydiving twice and bungee jumped from the Macau tower. When I’m not hiking or jumping off/out of things, I enjoy arts and crafts, riding my mountain bike, volunteering within my community, reading, and of course traveling the world!

Ethan Schultz

Luther College

Grade One

Pudong Lower School

I am extremely excited to be a part of the SCIS-Pudong community. Originally from a small town in Minnesota, I earned bachelor degrees in elementary education and music from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. I started my teaching career as a reading and math specialist, and I have been a first grade teacher ever since, in both Kuwait and Minnesota. I am passionate about literacy education and enjoy fostering a love for reading and learning in first graders. Outside of school I like to cook, explore new places, and eat desserts. I am eager to learn from and teach at SCIS!

Olive Sun

Mandarin

Pudong Lower School

Nǐ hǎo, my name is Sun Qingjiang. You also can call me Olive. I am one of the lower school Mandarin teachers on the Pudong campus. I have been working at SCIS since 2010. I have been working in ECE for the first few years. This is the second year as a primary school Mandarin teacher. I taught in a local Middle school for a year after graduation with my Bachelor degree. My motivation is that students are able to communicate with me in Mandarin. I am also appreciated to introduce my own country’s culture to students. I feel very excited, pleasant and relaxed with these active and pure students. I am so glad to work in such a pleasant environment doing the great things I enjoy doing.

Emilee Van Der Laarschot

University of Minnesota

Grade Two

Pudong Lower School

Hello all! I am thrilled to be a member of the SCIS community. I hail from Minneapolis and earned both my undergraduate and graduate degrees in Elementary Education at the University of Minnesota. I have previously taught and worked with kids in grades PK-5, in varying roles. I love helping kids find their passions and connect with the world around them, through discovery and working together. My own passions include traveling with my husband, reading mystery novels, being outside, and doing anything crafty. I look forward to working with all of the families and staff here at SCIS.